Cyber Police Report High Financial Losses Among Elderly Victims

According to data released by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) on September 2, 2026, online fraud targeting the elderly has reached significant levels. Between January 1 and August 31, 2026, the national online reporting system recorded 221,626 cases across all age groups, totaling over 11.03 billion baht in damages.

Of these reports, 17,895 cases involved victims aged 60 and older, representing approximately 8.07% of total complaints. However, the financial impact on this demographic is disproportionately high, accounting for 3,152,075,191.13 baht, or roughly 28.55% of the total losses reported during this period. Police Colonel Kriangkrai Phutthaisong noted that these figures highlight a concerning trend where scammers are specifically targeting retirees.

For residents and long-term visitors in Thailand, this data underscores the importance of heightened digital vigilance, particularly regarding financial transactions and unsolicited communications. While the report provides a clear statistical overview of the scale of these crimes, it does not detail the specific types of scams most frequently used against the elderly or the recovery rates for these funds. Authorities continue to monitor these trends as they refine their cyber-policing strategies. Individuals are encouraged to use official channels for reporting suspicious online activity.